1. They're more patient than in the past

Before this season, the Angels as a team have traditionally taken an aggressive approach at the plate -- sometimes overly so. A year ago, the Angels ranked 11th in the American League in on-base percentage, finishing at .330. But this year, they ranked third in the AL in OBP (.350) trailing only the Yankees (.362) and Red Sox (.353). Why the change? Perhaps it is the Abreu Effect. In the offseason, the Angels signed the veteran outfielder -- a notoriously patient hitter -- to a bargain-basement one-year, $5 million deal. Abreu worked 94 walks this season, and his discipline apparently rubbed off on teammates, most notably leadoff hitter Chone Figgins, who had 101 walks this season, 36 more than his previous career high.